Input device and electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an input device, including: a protective substrate having a manipulation surface which an object to be detected contacts; a detection body in which a detection electrode is formed on a detection substrate facing a surface of the protective substrate opposite to the manipulation surface of the protective substrate; and a vibrating body which is fixed to the protective substrate and which is vibrated when the object to be detected contacts the manipulation surface.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Japanese Priority PatentApplication JP 2010-039783 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Feb. 25,2010, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the technique for detecting contact (amanipulation made by a user) made by an object to be detected, and moreparticularly to an input device which is capable of causing a user toperceive a sufficient manipulation feeling in a phase of themanipulation, and an electronic apparatus including the same.

In a flat plate type input device for detecting a manipulation made by auser, the technique for causing a user to perceive a manipulationfeeling (clicking feeling) in a phase of the manipulation has beenheretofore proposed. For example, an input device, using a resistancefilm system, for detecting presence or absence, and a position of amanipulation made by the user in accordance with conduction/insulationbetween conductive films formed on inner surfaces of a movable plate anda supporting substrate facing each other is proposed in Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 2003-122507 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document1). With the technique described in Patent Document 1, a piezoelectricelement fixed to a back surface of the supporting substrate located on aback side is vibrated in the phase of the manipulation, thereby causingthe user to perceive the manipulation feeling (for example, refer toFIG. 7 in Patent Document 1).

SUMMARY

Now, a construction is supposed such that a light transmissiveprotective substrate for protecting an input device is installed on afront surface side of the input device. However, when the protectivesubstrate is added to the construction described in Patent Document 1such that the piezoelectric element is fixed to the supporting substrateon the back surface side of the input device, the vibrations of thepiezoelectric element are absorbed by constituent elements interposedbetween the piezoelectric element and a surface (a contact surface forthe user) of the protective substrate. As a result, it becomes difficultto cause the user to perceive the sufficient manipulation feeling(vibrations). The present invention has been made in order to solve theproblems described above, and it is therefore desirable to provide aninput device which is capable of causing a user to perceive a sufficientmanipulation feeling in a phase of the manipulation, and an electronicapparatus including the same.

In order to attain the desire described above, according to anembodiment of the present invention, there is provided an input deviceincluding: a protective substrate having a manipulation surface which anobject to be detected contacts; a detection body in which a detectionelectrode is formed on a detection substrate facing a surface (such as asurface 40B in FIG. 2) of the protective substrate opposite to themanipulation surface of the protective substrate; and a vibrating bodywhich is fixed to the protective substrate and which is vibrated whenthe object to be detected contacts the manipulation surface. In theembodiment described above, the vibrating body is fixed to theprotective substrate including the manipulation surface. Therefore, forexample, a user can be caused to perceive the vibrations (manipulationfeeling) each having a sufficient strength as compared with the case ofthe construction that the vibrating body is fixed to the detection body(detection substrate). The input device according to the embodiment ofthe present invention can be utilized in various kinds of electronicapparatuses (such as a personal digital assistants).

Preferably, the protective substrate includes a protrusion portion whichprotrudes from a periphery of the detection body, and the vibrating bodyis fixed to the protrusion portion. Thus, since the vibrating body isfixed to the protrusion portion protruding from the periphery of thedetection body, there is an advantage that the protrusion portion ishardly visually recognized by the user (a design property ismaintained). Preferably, the vibrating body is fixed to a surface of theprotrusion portion opposite to the manipulation surface. Thus, since thevibrating body is disposed together with the detection body on thesurface of the protrusion portion opposite to the manipulation surface,the thinning of the input device is realized as compared with the caseof the construction that the vibrating body is fixed to the manipulationsurface. Preferably, the input device further includes a light blockinglayer formed on a surface of the protrusion portion. In thisconstruction, since the protrusion portion is not visually recognized bythe user, the effect that the design property is maintained isespecially remarkable.

In addition, preferably, the vibrating body is formed in a long shapealong an edge side of the protective substrate. Thus, since thevibrating body is formed in the long shape along the edge side of theprotective substrate, for example, the wide range of the protectivesubstrate can be vibrated with the sufficient strength as compared withthe case of the construction that the vibrating bodies are sprinkled inthe corners (four corners) of the protective substrate. Preferably, theinput device includes the plurality of vibrating bodies formed each in along shape along corresponding ones of edge sides facing each other ofthe protective substrate. Thus, since the vibrating bodies are disposedin the corresponding ones of the edge sides facing each other of theprotective substrate, for example, the strengths of the vibrations canbe uniformized over the wide range of the protective substrate ascompared with the case of the construction that the vibrating body isdisposed only in one side of the protective substrate. In addition,preferably, the input device further includes a display body fordisplaying thereon an image which is installed on a side opposite to theprotective substrate across the detection body.

Thus, there is an advantage that the user can make the manipulationwhile he/she visually recognizes the display made by the display body.It is noted that the input device including the display body can also begrasped as a display device to which an input function (a function ofdetecting the manipulation made by the user) is added.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an electronic apparatus including an input device having: aprotective substrate having a manipulation surface which an object to bedetected contacts; a detection body in which a detection electrode isformed on a detection substrate facing a surface of the protectivesubstrate opposite to the manipulation surface of the protectivesubstrate; and a vibrating body which is fixed to the protectivesubstrate and which is vibrated when the object to be detected contactsthe manipulation surface.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to afirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken in line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a manipulation detecting portion inan input device according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view showing a form of disposition of vibratingbodies according to Change 1 of each of the first and secondembodiments;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing a form of disposition of vibratingbodies according to Change 1 of each of the first and secondembodiments;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a form of disposition ofvibrating bodies according to Change 1 of each of the first and secondembodiments;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing a form of disposition ofvibrating bodies according to Change 1 of each of the first and secondembodiments;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing a form of connection between avibrating body according to Change 2 of each of the first and secondembodiments, and an outside (control circuit);

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a form of a personal computer of anapplication example of an electronic apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a form of a mobile phone of anapplication example of the electronic apparatus; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a form of a personal digitalassistants of an application example of the electronic apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present application will be described below in detailwith reference to the drawings.

A. First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an input device 100 accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention. The input device 100 isa device for detecting a manipulation made by a user, and, as shown inFIG. 1, is composed of a manipulation detecting portion 12 and a controlcircuit 14. The manipulation detecting portion 12 is a flat plate typetouch panel having both a function of displaying thereon an image, and afunction of detecting contact of an object to be detected (a hand orfinger of the user). The control circuit 14 controls an operation of themanipulation detecting portion 12. Note that, in the followingdescription, an X direction and a Y direction which are parallel with aplate surface (principal surface) of each of plate-like or layer-likeconstituent elements composing the manipulation detecting portion 12,and are orthogonal to each other, and a Z direction vertical to an X-Yplane are supposed for descriptive purposes. A positive side of the Zdirection when viewed from an arbitrary position in the inside of themanipulation detecting portion 12 corresponds to the front surface side(the near side for the user who manipulates the input device 100). Also,a negative side of the Z direction when viewed from the positionconcerned corresponds to the back surface side (the back side for theuser).

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line II-II of FIG. 1. As shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, the manipulation detecting portion 12 is composed of adisplay body 20, a detection body 30, a protective substrate 40, and amultiple (two) vibrating bodies 50 (50A and 50B). The detection body 30is installed on the front surface side of the display body 20, and theprotective substrate 40 is installed on the front surface side of thedetection body 30. Therefore, the detection body 30 is interposed in agap defined between the display body 20 and the protective substrate 40.According to the construction that the protective substrate 40 isdisposed on the front surface side of the display body 20 and thedetection body 30 in the manner as described above, there is anadvantage that the display body 20 and the detection body 30 areprotected from being exposed to a collision of an object and anoperation of an external force.

The display body 20 is composed of a display panel 22 and anillumination body 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the display panel 22 is aliquid crystal panel having a construction that a liquid crystal (notshown) is sealed in a gap defined between a light transmissive firstsubstrate 261 and a light transmissive second substrate 262 which arejoined so as to face each other. As shown in FIG. 1, multiple liquidcrystal elements (pixels) EA each having a construction that the liquidcrystal is interposed between electrodes facing each other are disposedin a matrix within a display area DA in the X direction and in the Ydirection. The illumination body 24 is a flat plate type surface lightsource (backlight) disposed on the back surface side of the displaypanel 22. A transmittance for a light emitted from the illumination body24 is variably controlled every liquid crystal element EA, therebydisplaying a desired image within the display area DA. It should benoted that an illustration of constituent elements such as polarizingplates stuck to both surfaces of the display panel 22, respectively, isomitted here for the sake of convenience.

The detection body 30 is a light transmissive sensor for detectingapproach of an object to be detected. As shown in FIG. 1, the detectionbody 30 is constructed as being of a flat plate type so as to includemultiple detection elements EB disposed in a matric within a detectionarea DB in the X direction and in the Y direction. The detection body 30is fixed to the front surface side of the display body 20 by using anadhesion layer 62 (such as an adhesive agent or a double-sided adhesivetape) shown in FIG. 2 in such a way that the display area DA and thedetection area DB overlap each other from planar view (that is, whenviewed from the Z direction). Although a system for detecting the objectto be detected by using the detection body 30 is arbitrarily adopted,for example, an electrostatic capacitance system is suitably adopted. Asshown in FIG. 2, the detection body 30 using the electrostaticcapacitance system is composed of a light transmissive detectionsubstrate 32 which is formed in a rectangular shape, and multipledetection electrodes 34. In this case, the multiple detection electrodes34 are each made of a light transmissive conductive material, and areformed in a matrix on a surface on the front surface side of the lighttransmissive detection substrate 32 (on a surface of the lighttransmissive detection substrate 32 facing the protective substrate 40).The detection electrode 34 composes the detection element EB.

The protective substrate 40 is a rectangular substrate for protectingthe display body 20 and the detection body 30. For example, a lighttransmissive plate-like member made of either a glass or a resin issuitably adopted as a member for the protective substrate 40. As shownin FIG. 2, the protective substrate 40 is fixed to a surface on thefront surface side of the detection substrate 32 of the detection body30 (a formation surface of the detection electrode 34) by using anadhesion layer 64 (such as an adhesive agent or a double-sided adhesivetape). The object to be detected contacts a surface 40A on the frontsurface side of the protective substrate 40 (hereinafter referred to as“a manipulation surface”). A detection signal SA representing anelectrostatic capacitance, of each of the detection electrodes 34, whichis changed in accordance with approach or contact of the object to bedetected for the manipulation surface 40A is outputted from thedetection body to the control circuit 14. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, theprotective substrate 40 is larger in external dimension than each of thedisplay body 20 and the detection body 30. Thus, the protectivesubstrate 40 is composed so as to include a rectangular frame-likeprotrusion portion 42 (a portion which does not overlap the detectionbody 30 from the planar view) which protrudes from a periphery of thedetection body 30.

A light blocking layer 70 is formed on the manipulation surface 40A ofthe protective substrate 40. The light blocking layer 70 is a lightblocking film body in which a rectangular opening portion 72corresponding in position to each of the display area DA of the displaybody 20, and the detection area DB of the detection body 30 is formed.Since each of the display area DA and the detection area DB is locatedinside an inner periphery of the protrusion portion 42, the protrusionportion 42 overlaps the light blocking layer 70 over the entire area.

Each of the vibrating bodies 50 (50A and 50B) is vibrated in accordancewith the control made by the control circuit 14. As shown in FIGS. 1 and2, each of the vibrating bodies 50 is fixed to a surface (that is, asurface on the back surface side of the protective substrate 40) 40B ofthe protrusion portion 42 of the protective substrate 40 opposite to themanipulation surface 40A of the protrusion portion 42 of the protectivesubstrate 40. Therefore, each of the vibrating bodies 50 is located onthe back surface side of the light blocking layer 70. An adhesion layer66 (such as an adhesive agent or a double-sided adhesive tape) shown inFIG. 2, for example, is utilized for the fixing of the vibrating bodies50 to the protective substrate 40.

The vibrating bodies 50 are each formed in a long shape so as to extendalong respective edge sides of the protective substrate 40.Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vibrating body 50A extendsin the Y direction along a long side 44A of the protective substrate 40.Also, the vibrating body 50B extends in the Y direction along a longside 44B of the protective substrate 40 facing the long side 44A. Thatis to say, the vibrating bodies 50 are disposed in parallel with eachother on the surface 40B of the protective substrate 40 across thedetection body 30 from each other.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the vibrating bodies 50 (50A and 50B) of theinput device 100 of the first embodiment is a piezoelectric elementcomposed of a piezoelectric body 52 and a drive electrode 54. Thepiezoelectric body 52 is formed in the form of either a single layer ora lamination layer of a piezoelectric material, and is deformed(vibrated) by application of a suitable voltage. For example, thepiezoelectric body 52 is made of a piezoelectric material such as a zincoxide (ZnO) or lead zirconium titanate (PZT). The drive electrode 54 isformed on a surface of the piezoelectric body 52 on a side (back surfaceside) opposite to the protective substrate 40, and is composed of apositive electrode and a negative electrode through which the suitablevoltage is applied across the piezoelectric body 52. Each of the driveelectrodes 54 of the vibrating bodies 50 is electrically connected tothe control circuit 14 through a wiring substrate 16 (such as a flexiblewiring substrate) shown in FIG. 2.

The control circuit 14 shown in FIG. 1 detects presence or absence and aposition of the contact of the object to be detected for themanipulation surface 40A at any time in accordance with the detectionsignal SA supplied thereto from the detection body 30. When the controlcircuit 14 detects that the object to be detected contacts themanipulation surface 40A, the control circuit 14 supplies a drive signalSB to each of the drive electrodes 54 of the vibrating bodies 50 throughthe wiring substrate 16. Each of the piezoelectric bodies 52 of thevibrating bodies 50 is vibrated in accordance with a voltage of thedrive signal SB supplied to the corresponding one of the driveelectrodes 54. Also, the vibrations of the piezoelectric bodies 52 arepropagated to the manipulation surface 40A of the protective substrate40 which the object to be detected (a hand or finger of the user) iscontacting. Therefore, the user who is contacting the manipulationsurface 40A of the protective substrate 40 can perceive a manipulationfeeling (clicking feeling) for his/her manipulation.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the vibrating bodies50 are fixed to the protective substrate 40 which the user contacts inthe phase of the manipulation. Therefore, the user can be caused toperceive the vibrations (manipulation feeling) each having thesufficient strength as compared with the case of the construction thatthe vibrating bodies 50 are fixed to the detection body 30 (thedetection bodies 32). Or, a deformation amount or an applied voltage toeach of the vibrating bodies 50 required to cause the user to perceivethe vibrations each having the desired strength is reduced as comparedwith the case of the construction that the vibrating bodies 50 are fixedto the detection body 30. Therefore, it is possible to readily realizethe miniaturization of the vibrating bodies 50, and the reduction of thepower consumption.

The vibrating bodies 50 are fixed to the surface 40B, of the protectivesubstrate 40, on which the detection body 30 and the display body 20 areinstalled. As a result, for example, there is an advantage that themanipulation detecting portion 12 is thinned as compared with the caseof the construction that the vibrating bodies 50 are fixed to themanipulation surface 40A (for example, a construction shown in FIG. 7).In addition, since the vibrating bodies 50 are fixed to the back surfaceside of the light blocking layer 70, the user cannot visually recognizeany of the vibrating bodies 50. Therefore, the reduction of the designproperty (the seeming sensuousness) can be reduced as compared with thecase of the construction that any of the vibrating bodies 50 arevisually recognized by the user (for example, the construction that thevibrating bodies 50 are fixed to the manipulation surface 40A). It isnoted that there may also be adopted the construction that the lightblocking layer 70 is formed on the surface 40B, on the back surfaceside, of the protective substrate 40, or the construction that theprovision of the light blocking layer 70 is omitted.

The vibrating bodies 50 are disposed so as to extend along therespective edge sides facing each other of the protective substrate 40.Therefore, the strengths (amplitudes) of the vibrations of theprotective substrate 40 can be uniformized over the entire area of thedetection area DB (the manipulation surface 40A) as compared with thecase where the vibrating body 50, for example, is formed only in oneside of the protective substrate 40. In addition thereto, since thevibrating bodies 50 are formed along the long sides 44A and 44B of theprotective substrate 40, respectively, the area in which the vibratingbodies 50 are disposed can be sufficiently ensured as compared with thecase where the vibrating bodies 50 are formed along the short sides ofthe protective substrate 40, respectively (for example, the constructionshown in FIG. 4). Therefore, as compared with the case where thevibrating bodies 50 are formed along the short sides of the protectivesubstrate 40, respectively (that is, the case where the area of thevibrating bodies 50 is restricted), there is also an advantage that thevibrating bodies 50 each of which can generate the vibrations eachhaving the desired strength is easily disposed.

B. Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, an input device according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In thefollowing description, the constituent elements which have the sameoperations and functions as those of the input device of the firstembodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, respectively,and detailed descriptions thereof are suitably omitted here.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a manipulation detecting portion 12Aof the input device according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention. The manipulation detecting portion 12A in the secondembodiment has a construction that the display panel 22 and thedetection body 30 of the manipulation detecting portion 12 in the firstembodiment are replaced with a detection body (display body) 28. Thedetection body 28 is a (touch panel built-in) liquid crystal panelhaving both the function of the display panel 22 for displaying thereonan image, and the function of the detection body 30 for detecting theobject to be detected. Specifically, the detection body 28 isconstructed by sealing a liquid crystal (not shown) in a gap definedbetween a light transmissive first substrate 281 and a lighttransmissive second substrate 282 which are joined so as to face eachother. Light transmissive detection electrodes (not shown in FIG. 3)composing a detection element EB are formed together with a liquidcrystal element EA in a gap defined between the first substrate 281 andthe second substrate 282. Thus, the detection signal SA corresponding tochanges in electrostatic capacitances of the detection elements EB issupplied to the control circuit 14. The protective substrate 40 is fixedto the surface, on the front surface side, of the first substrate 281 ofthe detection body 28 by using the adhesion layer 64. The constructionsof the protective substrate 40, and each of the vibrating bodies 50 arethe same as those of the protective substrate 40, and each of thevibrating bodies 50 in the first embodiment.

Even with the second embodiment of the present invention describedabove, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are realized.In addition, the detection body 28 includes both the function of thedisplay panel 22, and the function of the detection body 30 in the firstembodiment. Therefore, there is also an advantage that the thinning ofthe manipulation detecting portion 12A is easily carried out as comparedwith the case of the first embodiment.

C. Changes

The first and second embodiments described above can be changed intovarious forms. Concrete forms of Changes will be hereinafterexemplified. Two or more forms which are arbitrarily selected from thefollowing exemplifications may be suitably merged with each other.

(1) Change 1

Although in each of the first and second embodiments, the vibratingbodies 50 are formed in the shape so as to extend along the respectivelong sides of the protective substrate 40, the shapes and positions ofthe vibrating bodies 50 (50A and 50B) are suitably changed. For example,there may be adopted a construction that as shown in FIG. 4, thevibrating bodies 50 are disposed along respective short sides of thesurface 40B, on the back surface side, of the protective substrate 40,or a construction that as shown in FIG. 5, the vibrating bodies 50 aredisposed along the four sides (the two ling sides and the two shortsides) of the protective substrate 40. In addition, there may also beadopted a construction that as shown in FIG. 6, the vibrating bodies 50(50A and 50B) are disposed on respective side end surfaces of theprotective substrate 40, or a construction that as shown in FIG. 7, thevibrating bodies 50 (50A and 50B) are disposed on the manipulationsurface 40A of the protective substrate 40. In addition thereto, theremay also be adopted a construction that only one vibrating body 50 isfixed to the protective substrate 40.

(2) Change 2

A construction with which the vibrating bodies 50 and the controlcircuit 14 are electrically connected to each other is suitably changed.For example, when as shown in FIG. 8, the drive electrode 54 is formedon the surface, of the piezoelectric body 52, facing the protectivesubstrate 40, it is preferable to adopt a construction that conductionis adapted to be made between the vibrating body 50 (the drive electrode54) and the wiring substrate 16 through a wiring 18 formed on thesurface 40B, on the back surface side, of the protective substrate 40.That is to say, the drive electrode 54 of the vibrating body 50 iselectrically connected to the control circuit 14 through the wiring 18formed on the surface 40B of the protective substrate 40, and the wiringsubstrate 16. The wiring 18, for example, is made of a lighttransmissive conductive material such as an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). Inaddition, the control circuit 14 including both the function ofacquiring the detection signal SA, and the function of outputting thedrive signal SB is exemplified in each of the first and secondembodiments. However, there may also be adopted a configuration that thecircuit (detection circuit) for acquiring the detection signal SA, andthe circuit (the drive circuit for the vibrating body 50) for outputtingthe drive signal SB are installed separately from each other.

(3) Change 3

The form of the vibrating body 50 is arbitrarily adopted. For example,the piezoelectric element in which the drive electrodes 54 (the positiveelectrode and the negative electrode) are formed on the both sides ofthe piezoelectric body 52 may be adopted as the vibrating body 50. Inaddition, the vibrating body 50 is by no means limited to thepiezoelectric element. For example, a vibrating body 50 in which aweight is eccentrically fixed to a rotational axis of a motor, or avibrating body which generates vibrations by supplying a current to acoil put in a magnetic field can also be utilized for giving thevibrations to the protective substrate 40.

(4) Change 4

The construction of the detection body 30 is suitably changed. Forexample, there may be adopted a construction that multiple detectionelectrodes 34 are formed on the surface (the surface of the detectionsubstrate 32 facing the display body 20), on the back surface side, ofthe detection substrate 32. In addition, there may also be adopted a(surface type) detection body having a construction that a lighttransmissive detection electrode is formed over the entire area of thedetection area DB (either on the front surface side or on the backsurface side) of the detection substrate 32, and the presence or absenceand the position of the contact of the object to be detected arespecified in accordance with a relative ratio of currents detected fromcorner portions (four corners) of the detection electrode. In addition,the present invention can be applied to the construction as well fordetecting the object to be detected by using a system (such as aresistance film system, an infrared ray system or an ultrasonic wavesystem) other than the electrostatic capacitance system.

(5) Change 5

The display panel 22 (the display body 20) in each of the first andsecond embodiments is by no means limited to the liquid crystal panel.For example, a light emitting device in which light emitting elementssuch as organic Electroluminescence (EL) elements are disposed in amatrix may also be adopted as the display panel. As can be understoodfrom the above description, the display panel in each of the aboveexemplifications is comprehended as an element for displaying an imageby utilizing an electro-optic element (such as the liquid crystalelement EA or a light emitting element) in which the opticalcharacteristics such as a transmittance and a luminance are changed inaccordance with an electrical operation such as application of anelectric field or a supply of a current. It should be noted that theillumination body 24 is omitted in the case of a construction utilizinga self-emission type electro-optic element.

D. Application Examples

The input device 100 described above can be utilized in various kinds ofelectronic apparatuses. FIGS. 9 to 11 show concrete forms of theelectronic apparatuses each adopting the input device 100.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a construction of a portablepersonal computer adopting the input device 100. The personal computer2000 includes the input device 100 which displays thereon an image andwhich detects the contact of the object to be detected for themanipulation surface 40A, and a main body portion 2010 in which a powersource switch 2001 and a keyboard 2002 are installed.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a construction of a mobile phoneto which the input device 100 is applied. The mobile phone 3000 includesmultiple manipulation buttons 3001, multiple scroll buttons 3002, andthe input device 100 which displays thereon an image and which detectsthe contact of the object to be detected for the manipulation surface40A. When the manipulation surface 40A of the input device 100 or thescroll buttons 3002 are manipulated, a picture displayed on the inputdevice 100 is scrolled.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a construction of a PersonalDigital Assistants (PDA) to which the input device 100 is applied. ThePDA 4000 includes multiple manipulation buttons 4001, a power sourceswitch 4002, and the input device 100 which displays thereon an imageand which detects the contact of the object to be detected for themanipulation surface 40A. When the manipulation surface 40A of the inputdevice 100 and the power source switch 4002 are manipulated, informationstored in an address list, an appointment book, or the like is displayedon the input device 100.

It is noted that in addition to the electronic apparatuses 2000, 3000and 4000 shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, respectively, a projector, a digitalstill camera, a television set, a video camera, a car navigation system,an in-car display device (instrument panel), an electronic databook, anelectronic paper, an electronic calculator, a word processor, a workstation, a TV telephone, a POS terminal, a printer, a scanner, a copymachine, a video player, an apparatus including a touch panel, and thelike are given as the electronic apparatuses to each of which the inputdevice 100 according to the embodiments of the present invention isapplied.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope and without diminishing itsintended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

1. An input device, comprising: a protective substrate having a manipulation surface which an object to be detected contacts; a detection body in which a detection electrode is formed on a detection substrate facing a surface of said protective substrate opposite to said manipulation surface of said protective substrate; and a vibrating body which is fixed to said protective substrate and which is vibrated when said object to be detected contacts said manipulation surface.
 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said protective substrate includes a protrusion portion which protrudes from a periphery of said detection body, and said vibrating body is fixed to said protrusion portion.
 3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein said vibrating body is fixed to a surface of said protrusion portion opposite to said manipulation surface.
 4. The input device according to claim 2, further comprising a light blocking layer formed on a surface of said protrusion portion.
 5. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said vibrating body is formed in a long shape along an edge side of said protective substrate.
 6. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said input device includes the plurality of vibrating bodies formed each in a long shape along corresponding ones of edge sides facing each other of said protective substrate.
 7. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a display body for displaying thereon an image which is installed on a side opposite to said protective substrate across said detection body.
 8. An electronic apparatus comprising an input device having: a protective substrate having a manipulation surface which an object to be detected contacts; a detection body in which a detection electrode is formed on a detection substrate facing a surface of said protective substrate opposite to said manipulation surface of said protective substrate; and a vibrating body which is fixed to said protective substrate and which is vibrated when said object to be detected contacts said manipulation surface. 